I received an ARC of this from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a great book to grab and get into when I needed a well deserved break from fantasy and sci-fi. The writing style was easy, fluid, and interesting and I found myself speeding through this. I have mixed feeling about this novel. I’m in between being disappointed and thoroughly enjoying this book. I can’t decide if I’m disappointed because of society and the way this turned out or if I just feel like something was missing. I loved the characters (especially Briar), their backgrounds, their stories and their contributions to this story but I feel like the whole thing was wrapped up a bit too neatly for what the content actually was. I think I need to let it settle a bit more.
My rating would have been a 3.5 but I rounded up to 4. I would definitely check out more by this author in the future.

I loved everything about this debut novel by Kelly Reid. The cover is stunning and the book moved so quickly, revealing surprises throughout. The book was very character driven and had me feeling all kinds of different emotions for the characters. I loved the friendship Emira had with her inner circle, especially Zara. Zara protected and stood up for her friend with a fierce energy and little Briar was such a fun character. I found myself laughing multiple times at the questions and comments she'd pose to Emira. Without giving any spoilers away, I thought it wrapped up perfectly and I wouldn't have changed a thing.

Often when a book is hyped so much, I fail to see where or how it lived up to the hype. That is not the case with this book. Amira is a babysitter for little Briar, who is quite possibly the best character in the book. Briar's mom, Alix, and Amira's boyfriend Kelley also feature prominently and all characters are developed really well.

Their actions all make sense and fit with their characters, and as a reader, you get to really understand all perspectives. This book deals with race and racism in a way that is non-violent and also not in your face. Honestly, this book is done so well, I can't help but recommend it to anyone and give it my first five-star review of 2020.

Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the ebook ARC in return for an honest review.

Alix Chamberlain made herself famous by writing letters to get things she wants and blogging. Her goal is to help other girls and women reach their dreams as well. Now that she has 2 daughters, she hires Emira to help watch them. In a tough situation, she calls Emira to take her 2 year old Briar to the grocery store down the street for a little bit. Twenty-five year old Emira leaves a friend's party to do it because she needs the money, and she loves Briar. When the security guard accuses Emira of kidnapping Briar, a man video tapes the whole encounter. Emira later on meets this man, Kelley, again, and they hit it off. The video he took gets leaked, and Emira and Alix will do anything for their own situation.

I had been wanting to read this book for a long time, It was a serious story line, with an easy to read writing style. I really liked the book, but I just felt uneasy about both Kelley and Alix the whole time. I don't feel like the ending wrapped up everything for me. Otherwise, I really liked this book!

I was really excited to snag a copy of this book since it was getting all kinds of buzz prior to being published and then for a double bonus, it ended up becoming a Reese’s Book Club Pick!

I was pleasantly surprised how readable this book was as I had been anticipating based on the pre-buzz it would be a denser, more literary read. Kiley Reid did an excellent job tackling tough subjects in the story yet making it very readable.

The story centers around Alix and Emira and a situation they run into, with the story picking up on what happens after. To be honest, Alix’s character drove me crazy (which may have been the point?) and the decisions she made just made me cringe and shake my head. The relationship between the two women was definitely interesting and I really like Emira’s character. This is great easy-read but with a lot of substance. I would definitely read a book by Kiley Reid again.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

My thoughts:
- If I had to describe this book in one word it would be “readable”! I don’t even know how to explain it but it’s a good thing I promise. The writing reminds me of Emily Giffin books while covering some thought provoking topics like racism and privilege. I was invested in the story from the very beginning!

- I enjoyed the Philadelphia setting, I feel like I don’t read many books set there. There were even some Penn State mentions

- The characters in this story are complex and flawed and I loved how the author approached the critique of the “well meaning white savior” I thought the characters were well developed, they contradicted themselves at times which is to show that not everything is black or white.

- I alternated between the physical book and the audiobook and both formats are great. Definitely recommend them both!

- This would make an excellent book club pick. There are so many things to discuss, I need to talk about it with people that have read it!

Thank you so much to Putnam books and libro.fm for the free book and audiobook!

*I was given an eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own*


Okay, so you know how in the Am I The A**hole forum on Reddit there's an option that says Everyone Sucks Here? That's sort of how I felt about most of these characters. Alex was awful without realizing that she was awful. Throughout the book you kind of KNOW she's not a great person,but you don't really find out the extent of it until later on.

Then there's Kelly. He doesn't seem that bad either, but the more you go on the more toxic he becomes as well. He sort of skeeved me out from the beginning though.

Emira was literally the ONLY redeemable person in this book to me. I think the author meant for this to be the case though. You're not necessarily supposed to like Kelly or Alex. Essentially those characters represent some of the different attitudes that white people can have toward people of color, where they come off as racist without meaning to or realizing it. Doesn't mean they aren't offensive, both just chose not to learn to do better.

Honestly the children in the story had my sympathy the most. This book was somewhat difficult to read because the topic is such a sensitive one (especially for a white girl who lives in the south where racism is still rampant). We want to bury our heads in the sand and act like this isn't something to worry about, but it most definitely is, and Reid tackles some tough topics in a brilliant way.

Would definitely recommend!

The book is about Emira, an African American college graduate that works as a baby sitter for a white family. One night, while at a grocery store, she is accused of stealing the white child she cares for. The story then delves into the lives of these characters and the aftermath of that incident. The author did a great job in keeping the book a fun and readable novel while also touching on deep racial themes throughout.

Such a Fun Age starts off with a cringeworthy encounter late night in an upscale Philadelphia grocery store, where Emira, a sitter for a young girl, is taking the child out due to an urgent situation with the family. As the story proceeds, you feel a range of emotions as Alix Chamberlain, a privileged mother, seeks to get herself out of a funk and considers how much she wants to help Emira or not.

I felt irked at the abrupt ending of the book, and I suspect that was intentional - reality doesn't always wrap up perfectly. It also makes you think about decisions people make, and that may concern others - is it really theirs to make, no matter how well-intentioned?

Thank you to Netgalley and G.P. Putman's Sons for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Such A Fun Age by Kiley Reid

Brief Summary: When Emira Tucker is accused of kidnapping her baby sitting charge Briar in a local grocery store one night by the security guard, a video of the young African American woman confronting him goes viral. The mother of the child is dismayed and vows to make it right by helping Emira. What ensues is a thought provoking novel of biases, race, and privilege. This is the author’s debut novel.

Highlights: I really liked Emira and how she stood up to those in power. This really got me thinking about the negative biases she was up against as a young, African American woman, who was educated but having trouble finding a career path and the people who thought she needed help. Reid did a great job of highlighting both biases and stereotypes.

Explanation of Rating: 4/5: Engaging, light, and thought provoking!

Great read for book clubs and those interested in diversity!

Thank you to Net Galley and Penguin Group Putnam for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review

What a fun book!
Once I saw this book was recommended by Reese Witherspoon I knew that this was a book that I NEEDED to read and let me tell you that it did not dissapoint. This book was very current with times and at the same time had a a good twist. I was instantly interested with the 2 main characters and kept going back and forth about who's side I was on. I did not expect the ending and that's rare! I would recommend this book for anyone that is looking for a good, quick, read.

A deft look at race, class, privilege, and good intentions. It gave me plenty to think about without being hit on the head with obvious points and dialogue. Sympathetic characters in complex situations.

I really enjoyed this debut novel. It was a great read that had relevant and current race issues. I loved both Emira’s and Alix’s point of views and how fast paced the book was. I will be looking for more from this author in the future.

In this age of Black Lives Matter, Treyvon Martin and an apparent resurgence in prejudice and elitism, Such a Fun Age is nothing if not topical. A young black woman takes a job with a white family as a babysitter/ caregiver to the older of the family's two children and when she is called to take that child out late one evening due to a family crisis, a chain of events ensues that no one could have foreseen. The interaction between the caregiver, the child, the child's mother and father as well as friends of the caregiver and the parents is skilfully choreographed by the author, who provides a few twists and turns that the reader will not see coming. Such A Fun Age is worth a read and i look forward to future books by Kiley Reid. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC

Short and punchy, this book will make well-meaning white people everywhere (myself included) step back and consider our actions and words again. It's a painfully real look at the way race manifests in relationships in the U.S.

Really great social commentary on racism, transactional jobs and female friendships. I found all characters very relatable, like able and complicated. Was only sad to see the story end! Felt like the ending was a bit rushed but perhaps only because I didn’t want to let these characters go.

Review on Goodreads here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3156165233

Going into this book, all I knew was that it was hyped for being really good and for being a Reese’s Book Club Pick.

And I’m really glad that I didn’t know much about the storyline because it made reading even better by seeing how everything unfolded - and it really did live up to the hype!

This book handles important topics in an impressive, light way. As many other reviews have said, I found myself liking a character and then in the next chapter I disliked the very same character.

I felt this brought to life how there are different views on issues and it’s not always clear cut.

This book made me think back to how I felt while reading Small Great Things and The Hate U Give.

I give this book 5 stars because not only was it fast paced, had characters that drew you in and felt relate-able but it also made you think about hard topics long after you were done reading.

This book had an interesting premise and is unlike anything I’ve read before. The story really opened my eyes to think differently and critically.

Thank you Net Galley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my review.

I find myself thinking about Such a Fun Age every day since I've read it.

I was at first drawn in by the writing of this book. Reid had me turning pages to learn about Alix's pasts and to read more about how these characters live their lives. But as the book goes on, I was drawn into the themes of race that are brought up, like how white people trying to help can actually become the exact opposite. Alix thinks she is helping her babysitter, Emira, and is obsessive about being cool in her eyes. Emira just wants financial security and to feel like a real, respected adult.

I would highly recommend this book if you want a thought-provoking read.

A good story with a lot of social commentary, but for me, this one fell a little flat.
The premise of this book starts with an unnerving scene- a young black woman, Emira, is accused of kidnapping the white child she is babysitting for while at a grocery store. While this angered me, it was unfortunately also believable.
Alix Chamberlain is a privileged, wealthy and white woman who employs Emira. The events from the grocery store make her feel like she needs to get to know Emira better, almost to the point of being weirdly obsessed with her, in my opinion. Alix is not very likeable overall, and Emira is a bit lost and aimless for being 25 years old.
The book was a quick read for me, flowed easily and I enjoyed the writing style. But I didn't love the ending and was a little disappointed- maybe because this was so hyped up and I DO believe it's important subject matter.
I'm sorry I cannot give a more positive review, but I'll definitely look out for more books from this author!